Christian Life Center

If you are active in the practicing of Christianity, there’s a good likelihood that you’ve heard of Christian bodies before. In reality, you could be an affiliate or a volunteer for a number of of these associations. When many people think of Christian bodies, local groups and programs are usually the very first thing that suggests itself. With that noted, made public below is some info that you can find useful in your search to find out more about online Christian affiliations and programs. In general, you can find that Christian associations and programs are groups that are usually non-profit. This indicates that they don’t operate for a profit, but rather for help. That help will depend upon the organization or program in question , but many are engineered to help those who are in need, whether or not that need be emotional, physical, or monetary.

Online Christian associations and programs are ones that operate on the internet.

While many events and activities may happen offline, the general bulk of their work is performed on the internet. One of the most typical Christian programs that you’ll find available on the net for you and others to join are those that offer support. This is most typically seen with online bulletin boards that, in a way, act as support groups.

With the standard web search, you’ll be able to find a number of internet Christian bodies and programs that are made to help Christians get out of debt, work thru wedding issues, and masses more. Even if you aren’t desiring help or support yourself, you will wish to consider joining one of these online support programs, as you may be ready to offer help from the perspective of a coach. Though online Christian programs and associations are ordinarily used to explain programs that do most or all of their work online, there’s also some bewilderment. For example, some Christian programs that are created to help those that are homeless. The organization in query may ask for finance help, clothing donations, or the donations of household gadgets.

While lots of these associations have drop off boxes at local locations, you can also be ready to mail in your donations. This, in a way, may end up in the organization in question also being known as an internet Christian organization or program. Now you know what online Christian affiliations and programs are, you could be wondering if you must join them. If you are desiring help, you may need to consider looking for help from the Christian organization in question. Though many folks feel like it is incorrect to request charity or online emotional support, there’s no harm in doing so. In reality, that is why these programs and setups exist. Their goals are to help people in need, particularly those that accept the practices and evangelizing of Christianity. If you are not in need of finance or emotional support from other Christians, you may wish to trouble to see what you can do to help. As formerly stated, lots of the work needed to volunteer with online Christian programs and setups can be done over the Net. This suggests that you can help people in need, in a variety of different strategies, from the comfort of your own residence.

This is excellent for those with transport issues or for those that are uncertain to whether or not volunteering is right for them.

First – WELCOME Jesus as a little child would. The disciples were arguing about who was the greatest among them. “Then he said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest” (Luke 9:46-48 NLT). We welcome Jesus with an attitude of simple childlike faith, humility, and enthusiasm. (Matthew 21:15) To welcome Jesus humble yourself and reach out to him with open arms of simple faith. Did you ever see a child welcoming someone they had been waiting on for a long time? Welcome Jesus – as little child.

Second – WAIT in His presence. In Luke 8:40 the crowds on the other side of the lake welcomed Jesus because they had been waiting for him! How long did they wait? They didn’t care how long. The prophet Simeon waited in the temple for years for the coming Messiah. (Luke 2:25-32) Yes, Jesus has come and is with us but those who wait for His manifest presence will see and experience His awesome presence and powerful deeds. (Psalm 65; 40:31) Wait with expectancy, worship, and prayer. Jesus comes to all those who wait for Him with open arms and hearts. Is he not “a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him?” (Hebrews 11:6)

“For as many as received him, gave he the power to become son’s of God. Even as many as believe on his name” (John 1:12).

In Exodus 23:20 God assured him, “Behold, I send an angel before you, to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” This angel, I believe, was the angel of the Lord that appeared to Moses out of the burning bush. (Exodus 3:2)

I have two tendencies I need to guard against on my journey. One is to sometimes doubt my ability to follow close to the Lord. Other times I have too much confidence in my own ability to follow. This results in pride and legalism. God gave me a liberating word recently. “If you ever make it in the Christian life, it won’t be because you are a good follower. It will be because my Son is a good leader. Put your confidence in His ability to lead you, not in your ability to follow.” That put Psalm 23 and Luke 5:27 in a whole new light. I can make it because my Lord is a good leader!

TURTLES – After the Sanders’ troop returned from their hike, I asked them what animals they had seen. They disappointedly said that they only saw a baby box turtle. “Do you know what you can learn from a turtle?” I asked. “Yeah, I know,” said Elijah, “Like a turtle we need to be patient and persevere. Not always being the fastest, but finishing the race.” (Hebrews 4:1; 6:12) “Yes,” I replied, “But we can learn something else – a turtle has to stick his neck out to get anywhere. That means that we have to take risks, get out of our comfort zones, and try new things if we want to succeed and go places. (Hebrews 11)

TICKS – Hiking through the woods where we live can have a downside. After returning home you have to check for ticks, especially deer ticks which are not so endearing. While checking the boys, I made the mistake of telling them that ticks will suck the blood out of you. When I found one on Taet, he went ballistic, tearfully insisting that he was never going hiking again. Sometimes we all feel that way. Life’s journey can have some nasty ticks and trials. A woman who lost her only son in the devastating earthquakes in China was weeping and wailing on a TV news spot, “Why does life have to be so hard?” she screamed. But the joys of the journey and the rewards of the coming promise land make it worth the difficulties we face on the trail. We can have confidence if we keep our eyes on the leader who will never lead us astray – the Lord Jesus Christ.

TITUS – Titus is not well known but the Apostle Paul refers to him 13 times. He was a well beloved convert and co-worker of Paul’s. In Titus 1:3 Paul greets him with God’s grace, mercy, and peace. They are essential for hiking through the wilderness. Have you ever seen a discarded turtle shell? Paul reminds us, “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:15). This great hope will be realized when Jesus returns for His blood bought, blood washed children. We will shed this mortal body and put on immortality. We will live in the promise land of heaven with our Lord forever. Put confidence in our faithful leader – the Lord Jesus Christ! “He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Ancient Job asked, “If a man dies will he live again?” Jesus assured a grief stricken woman mourning the death of her only brother,

“I Am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25). He then raised her brother to life. Christ’s promise is for all mortal, sinful mankind who will believe and receive Him as the Resurrection and the Life. Just as Lazarus was dead and decaying in a cold, dark tomb, so we all are dead in “trespasses and sins”, separated from a holy God. You and I need resurrection.

E. Stanley Jones described it this way, “In Jesus there are no sunsets – they are all sunrises. He is the ‘bright and morning star’ – not the evening star. He heralds the dawn – not the dark. Rufus Mosely, a layman, called upon to conduct a funeral, went to the New Testament to see how Jesus conducted a funeral and found that Jesus did not conduct funerals – He conducted resurrections. This that I have in Jesus does not have the feel of a funeral upon it – it has the feel of a resurrection.”

Jesus is Resurrection. He is the principle, power, and pattern of resurrection. Jesus said, “Because I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19). If you have Jesus you have resurrection. “Christ in you the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). The One who was dead but now alive will resurrect your mind, your body, your spirit, your hopes, and your outlook.

One of the most majestic of God’s creatures is the eagle. When the eagle reaches the old age of 40 it finds a solitary place on a mountain crag. The eagle beats off its calcified beak and a new one grows. It pulls off its old talons and new ones grow. It then pulls out its old tattered feathers and new youthful ones grow. After 150 days (5 months) the old eagle is totally rejuvenated and resurrected to live another 30 years. That is amazing!

Tehya is a little black Yorkie-Poo full of energy and love. My daughter-in-law Debbie found her huddled against a storage unit in the mountains of Wyoming where they live. The veterinarian surmised that someone had thrown her from a moving vehicle along the interstate nearby. Her shivering body was covered with road burns and she was sore and stiff. Debbie, Chris, and Taet adopted her and named her Tehya which means “precious” in Iroquois.

Perhaps Tehya was unwanted and thrown away. But Debbie saw her and she became Tehya – “precious”.

We live in a cruel world. The god of this world is a cruel taskmaster. (John 10:10) Many people have been abused and abandoned in some way. Some feel unwanted, unnoticed, or rejected and thrown away. But there is one who sees and cares – God is the God who sees and to Him you are precious. (Romans 5:6-8; Psalm 139:12, 17; Mark 6:47-48)

In the Old Testament, when God wanted to illustrate his love and plan of salvation, He asked Abraham to lay his son of promise on the altar and offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham obeyed and as he began to take his son’s life, God stopped him and provided a substitute sacrifice, a lamb caught in the briars and thorns. God revealed Himself to Abraham as Jehovah-jireh – the Lord will see or provide. (Genesis 22:8-14) He is the God who sees our need of salvation and has made provision through His only begotten son. (John 3:16)

Before Abraham’s son of promise was born, he fathered a son, at his wife’s insistence, with her bondmaid, Hagar. Ishmael was born but God told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. They were not to be a part of God’s covenant to bring forth the Messiah. (Genesis 21) Hagar took little Ishmael into the dessert. When they ran out of food and water, Hagar put the boy under a bush and sat down to die. But the God who sees sent an angel to give a message to Hagar and made provision for their needs. When Hagar raised her head she saw a well of cool refreshing water. Ishmael was not God’s covenant plan but he was still precious to God. So are you precious to the God who sees. Paul reminds us that we were “strangers . . . having no hope and without God in the world . . . But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ . . . For He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:11-14 NASB).

A century ago crosses dotted the landscape across America. Today many churches do not display the cross on their buildings and city governments have tried to ban the cross on public property. Our founding fathers would be chagrined to see this happen. It’s the cross that made the difference between victory or defeat, hope or hopelessness, eternal life or perdition. History is divided by B. C. and A. D. There are those who want to do away with that significance but it is the cross that made the difference.

The gospel is the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Paul declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Recently a missionary was asked by a young man what the difference is between the Red Cross and the Christian cross. Likewise, many throughout the world and in America are ignorant of the power of the cross.

In almost four decades of ministry I’ve stood in many cemeteries throughout America. This Memorial Day I’ll once again remember those who have died to preserve our freedom and walk by the graves of many of our loved ones. When I think of the thousands who have died, there is only one assurance of hope – The cross made the difference for multitudes.

On the cross the perfect man, the Son of God, gave himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. Peter wrote, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (I Peter 2:24 NRSV). An early church father, Ambrose, wrote, “O the divine mystery of the cross! Weakness hangs on it, power is freed by it, evil is nailed to it, and triumphal trophies are raised towards it.”

Cornelius was a Centurion of the Roman legion and a Captain of the Italian regiment. The Roman legion was one of the most disciplined and powerful military forces in world history. For Cornelius to hold such a rank was a great honor. But even more so, God honored Cornelius because Cornelius honored God. What can we learn from this soldier’s story to help us honor God and have His favor and blessings? (Acts 10)

First – PIETY was a hallmark of this soldier. “he was a devout and God-fearing man” (Acts 10:2 NLT). Piety is unfortunately a foreign word in our world today. Many of the Pilgrims and Puritans in early America were known for their piety. To be pious is not self-righteousness but being God-fearing and devoted to God. (Psalm 107:41-43; Psalm 1)

Second – a PATERNAL example was demonstrated to his family and fellow soldiers. Cornelius was not ashamed of his God. He became a spiritual father to family and friends. Are you influencing others for God? (Acts 10:24)

Third – PRAYER was an integral part of Cornelius’ life. George Washington and Stonewall Jackson were known as praying men. Great military leaders of the Bible, such as Moses, Joshua, and David, were men of prayer. Notice what got God’s attention concerning Cornelius. One afternoon in a vision God dispatched an angel to give Cornelius this message, “And the angel replied, ‘Your prayers and gifts to the poor have been received by God as an offering’” (Acts 10:4 NLT). Regular fervent prayer offered in faith and devotion ascends to the throne room of God. (James 5:16-18)

Fourth – PROVISION for the needs of the poor touched the heart of God. The angel told Cornelius that God considered his gifts to the poor as an offering to God Himself. Giving out of a heart of love brings God’s favor. (Matthew 25:31-40)

Consider the rewards of this soldier’s faith and devotion to God.

First – PEACE with God. God sent the Apostle Peter to proclaim the good news to Cornelius and his household. God revealed to Peter in a vision that God shows no favoritism. (Acts 10:34) Peter then preached, “This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel – that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36 NLT). This soldier knew war but he received peace with God. You can receive peace with God only through the Lord Jesus. (Romans 5:1)

Second – PARDON and forgiveness of sins brought the peace of God to this soldier, “He is the One the prophets testified about saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through his name” (Acts 10:42-43). Jesus paid the price for our pardon.

Third – the PROMISE of the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and his household. (Acts 10:44-48) Jesus had commanded his followers to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8) Peter soon realized that God had no intention of reserving the gift of the Holy Spirit for only the Jews. Joel had prophesied that God would pour out His spirit “upon all flesh”. (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17-18) Cornelius’ experience opened up the promise of the Holy Spirit for all God’s children.

There is a new breathtaking sight along the highway near where I live. Scattered across a lush green meadow is a flock of white wooly sheep grazing contentedly. The beautiful sight seems out of place but a welcome treat to the usual landscape of herds of cattle. Spring is in the air and the grazing sheep speak to me of hope and new life.

When I was in my youth I worked with cattle but didn’t have the opportunity to be around sheep. Sheep were not common in the part of the country where I grew up. One thing I do know about sheep is that sheep receive more attention in the Bible than any other animal.

They were important to the total life of the Israelites. Earliest mention of sheep is in Genesis 4:2 where it says that “Abel was a keeper of sheep.”

In biblical times shepherds led the sheep to new locations whenever pasturage gave out. Water requirements meant that shepherds had to know where the streams or wells were located. Watering was always done at noon. King David was once a shepherd and beautifully describes the shepherd’s care of his sheep in Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd,” David declared. Continuous care of the sheep led the shepherd to know each by name just as the Lord knows each of his sheep.

The Word of God refers to both good and bad shepherds and during the latter part of Israel’s history the leaders are denounced as being bad shepherds. Figures of speech concerning shepherds and sheep are used repeatedly throughout the Bible. Jesus used many illustrations concerning sheep. Jesus Christ came as the Good Shepherd (John 10) and his arrival was announced to shepherds.

When God delivered the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, He instructed them to slay a lamb and paint the blood over the top and on each side of the door frame of their homes. When the death angel passed over those homes covered with the blood, the firstborn son was spared from death. The Passover celebration was ordained as a perpetual ordinance for the Jews. (Exodus 12; Hebrews 11:28) The Apostle Paul tells us that “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed for us” (I Corinthians 5:7).

It was a fun drive through Wolf Creek State Park. It’s one of my grandkid’s favorite activities when they come to visit us. This early spring evening we were counting the abundant deer and listening to the croaking of frogs. Suddenly I pointed out a large owl perched on the top of a telephone pole. It was perhaps a Great Horned Owl. Rarely do you see one so close to the road and this early in the evening.

For many people an owl is an emblem of wisdom. Not because they are a particularly intelligent bird but the formation of its head allows the eyes to look straight forward like those of a man.

They are noted for their long eerie utterance of “who-who-who”. Owls may live to a great age. One eagle owl thrived in captivity for 68 years. Sometimes a wise person may be referred to as a wise old owl.

The word of God puts a premium on wisdom. Sadly, many people seem to lack wisdom. The good news is that one does not have to be super intelligent or have a college degree to be wise. Wisdom can be learned. Wisdom – Biblical wisdom – is being able to discern good and evil, darkness and light, and having good common sense to make right choices in life. Having and applying wisdom will determine whether you have true success in life or not. We can learn something from a wise old owl. The unique call of an owl is its “who-who-who”. Wisdom teaches that success is not so much what you do in life but “who-who-who” you are.

In the “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus taught what has become known as the BEATTITUDES. The emphasis is on “being” not doing. Jesus taught us attitudes of the heart that bring true happiness and God’s blessings on your life. Jesus taught, “Blessed are the meek (Humble), for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:3-11). Who are you in your heart?

First – FRUIT REQUIRES DEATH. There can be no fruit unless a seed is planted, dies, germinates, and then produces new life. In speaking about his death on the cross, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it produces much grain” (John 12:23-26). Jesus calls us to die to sin, to self, and to the world that we may live a fruitful new life.

I don’t like the barrenness of winter. The leafless trees poking into the grey sky look like skeletons. Jesus died on Calvary – which means “place of the skull”. He was placed in a borrowed tomb – but on the third day he arose bringing new life, hope, and fruitfulness to all who would accept and trust him as Savior and Lord.

Second – THE FORCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION. Jesus exclaimed, “On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:21-23). The disciples did not fully understand the mighty force of Christ’s death and resurrection.

In his book The Anvil, Max Lucado describes it this way, “There is something about a living testimony that gives us courage. Once we see someone else emerging from life’s dark tunnels, we realize that we too can overcome . . . In the eyes of humanity, death was still the black veil that separated them from joy. There was no victory over the hooded foe . . . It was left to the Son of God to disclose the true nature of this force. It was on the cross that the showdown occurred . . . Christ emerged from death’s tunnel, lifted a triumphant fist toward the sky, and freed all from the fear of death.” “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (I Corinthians 15:54).

Third – FAITH IS THE VICTORY. The disciples were stricken with fear and grief. Thomas declared his unbelief. Jesus appeared and said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here and look at my hands and reach your hand here and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving but believing.” Thomas answered and said, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:24-28) Do you believe in the living Christ? “And this is the victory that overcomes the world – our faith” (I John 5:4 NKJV).

Fourth – FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE SCRIPTURES. When John looked into the empty tomb “he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the scripture that he must rise again from the dead” (John 20:9). On the Emmaus road, Jesus opened the scriptures to two of his followers. (Luke 252:13-29) Many are deceived and defeated by not knowing the scriptures. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-13).